VHB™ Structural Glazing Tapes

B23F • G23F
Technical Data August 2014

Product Description 3M™ VHB™ Structural Glazing Tapes are fully-cured, durable, high performance
double-sided pressure sensitive acrylic foam tapes. They are used for attaching
glass panels to metal frames in curtain wall systems, commercial windows and
doors, skylight and canopy systems replacing commonly used mechanical fasteners,
gaskets or structural silicone sealants. Application performance history since 1990
and 3rd party test results demonstrate the outstanding durability, UV resistance and
temperature performance of 3M™ VHB™ Tape acrylic foam chemistry.

Product Construction Tape Type: B23F G23F

Tape Color: Black Gray

Adhesive: High Performance Acrylic

Adhesive Carrier: Acrylic Foam (closed cell)

Thickness: 0.090 in (2.3 mm)

Density: 45 lb/ft3 (720 kg/m3)

Liner: Red Polyethylene Film [0.05 in (0.125 mm)]

Typical Physical Note: The following technical information and data should be considered representative
Properties or typical only and should not be used for specification purposes.
Tape Type: B23F G23F

Peel Adhesion:
(ASTM D 3330 25 lb/in
Anodized Aluminum) (350 N/100 mm)

Normal Tensile:
(ASTM D897 70 lb/in2
Aluminum T-block) (480 kPa)

Dynamic Shear:
(ASTM D1002 65 lb/in2
Anodized Aluminum) (450 kPa)

Static Shear:
(ASTM D3654, 72°F (22°C) 2.2 lb / 0.5 in2 (1000 g/ 3.2 cm2)
Stainless Steel) 150°F (66°C) 1.1 lb / 0.5 in2 (500 g/ 3.2 cm2)
200°F (93°C) 1.1 lb / 0.5 in2 (500 g/ 3.2 cm2)

Temperature Resistance:
Short Term: (Minutes, Hours) 300°F (149°C)
Long Term: (Days, Weeks) 200°F (93°C)
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B23F • G23F

Available Sizes Tape Type: B23F G23F

Standard Length: 36 yds (32.9 m)

Standard Widths: 1/2 in (12mm) 1 in (25 mm)

5/8 in (15 mm) 1.25 in (30 mm)
3/4 in (20 mm) 1.5 in (35 mm)

Slitting Tolerance: ± 1/32 in (± 0.8 mm)

Core Size (ID): 3.0 in (76.2 mm)

Design Guidelines Note: For tape area calculations the following guidelines can be used. Each application
should be reviewed by a 3M Architectural Market Specialist or a 3M Technical
Service Specialist.

Dynamic Loads: For dynamic tensile or shear loads, such as wind loads, a design
strength of 12 psi (85 kPa) is used for 3M™ VHB™ Structural
Glazing Tapes. This design strength guideline provides a safety
factor of >5 and was established based on material property
testing as well as ASTM dynamic load testing for curtain wall
applications.

Static Loads: For static tensile or shear loads, such as dead weight loads with
no mechanical support, snow loads and other long-term loads,
a design strength of 0.25 psi (1.7 kPa) is used for 3M™ VHB™
Structural Glazing Tapes. This means 4 in2 of tape per 1 lb load
(60 cm2 of tape per 1 kg load) should be used to support constant
stress loads. This guideline provides a safety factor of >5. Dead
load support is required for glass panel bonding in most structural
glazing applications. Note: Static load and dynamic load
calculations should be performed on unsupported dead load
structural glazing applications. The calculation resulting in the
wider tape width should be used as the appropriate tape width for
the specific application.

Differential Movement: 3M™ VHB™ Structural Glazing Tapes can tolerate shear
movement up to 3 times its original thickness (300% shear strain).
This means 0.090" (2.3 mm) thick tapes can tolerate shear strain
up to 0.27" (6.9 mm).

Force/Stress: In general, when designing with 3M™ VHB™ Structural Glazing

Tapes, forces acting on the tape should consist of either shear or
tensile type stress loads. This allows the stress or force to be
applied over the entire tape area. Applications placing cleavage
or peel type stress on the tape should be avoided as this will place
the stress on the leading edge of the peel or cleaving.

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Application Guidelines Application Review Project applications with 3M™ VHB™ Structural Glazing tapes
must be reviewed by a 3M Architectural Market Specialist or
3M Technical Service Specialist. Project drawings must be
submitted to 3M to initiate the project-specific design review.

Adhesion Testing Adhesion testing must be conducted on project specific substrates

to determine the most appropriate surface preparation method
leading to high bond strength of the 3M™ VHB™ Structural
Glazing Tape. Adhesion testing should be coordinated through
a 3M Architectural Market Specialist. Adhesion test results will
provide guidance on proper surface preparation methods,
including cleaning and priming techniques for project-specific
substrates and finishes.

Fabrication Guidelines A shop work environment is most appropriate for bonding

applications with 3M™ VHB™ Structural Glazing Tape. Tape
application temperature should be at least 60°F (15°C). Field
bonding may be considered for deglaze/reglaze activities but
only after consultation with a 3M Architectural Market or
Technical Service Specialist. It is also important to provide
adequate pressure to the tape after it has been applied to the
first prepared substrate surface and after the two parts are
joined together. A pressure of 15 psi (100 kPa) or greater
should be applied over the whole tape area to facilitate good
contact of the tape to both substrate surfaces. Rigid surfaces
may require 2 or 3 times that much pressure to make the tape
experience 15 psi (100 kPa). 3M must approve pressure
application equipment for 3M™ VHB™ Structural Glazing Tape
applications. 3M Architectural Market or Technical Service
Specialists are available to provide training of operators for
3M™ VHB™ Architectural Panel Tape bonding applications.

Shelf Life 3M™ VHB™ Structural Glazing Tapes have a shelf life of 24 months from date of
shipment when stored at 40°F to 100°F (4°C to 38°C) and 0-95% relative humidity.
The optimum storage conditions are 72°F (22°C) and 50% relative humidity.

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Technical Information The technical information, recommendations and other statements contained in this document are
based upon tests or experience that 3M believes are reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of
such information is not guaranteed.

Product Use Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge and control can affect the use
and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. Given the variety of factors that can affect
the use and performance of a 3M product, user is solely responsible for evaluating the 3M product and
determining whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user’s method of application.

Limited Warranty
3M warrants for 24 months from the date of shipment that 3M™ VHB™ Tape will be free of defects
in material and manufacture. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. This limited warranty does not cover damage resulting
from the use or inability to use 3M™ VHB™ Tape due to misuse, workmanship in application, or
application or storage not in accordance with 3M recommended procedures. AN APPLICATION
WARRANTY EXPRESSLY APPROVED AND ISSUED BY 3M IS AN EXCEPTION. THE CUSTOMER
MUST APPLY FOR A SPECIFIC APPLICATION WARRANTY AND MEET ALL WARRANTY AND
PROCESS REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION WARRANTY. CONTACT 3M FOR
MORE INFORMATION ON APPLICATION WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Limitation of Remedies
and Liability
If the 3M™ VHB™ Tape is proved to be defective within the warranty period stated above. THE
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, AT 3M’S OPTION, SHALL BE TO REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF OR
TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE 3M™ VHB™ TAPE. 3M shall not otherwise be liable for
loss or damages, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential, regardless of the legal
theory asserted, including negligence, warranty, or strict liability.
ISO 9001

This Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division product was manufactured under a 3M quality system registered to ISO 9001 standards.

Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division

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